UN should help govt push Burmese reconciliation

NEWS Think

More than 3,000 Karen, mostly women and children, have fled from Burma into Thailand to escape heavy fighting since June 2.

The influx is creating problems for Thailand which, as Burma's neighbour and chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is justified in wanting a say on how well the junta's national reconciliation plan is going.

In the past 24 years, more than 150,000 displaced persons, mostly members of ethnic groups, have fled from Burma into Thailand, which provides shelter for the Burmese at nine camps along the 2,400km border.

The army has also extended shelter to the most recent 3,000 Karen arrivals, and non-governmental organisations are providing basic humanitarian assistance.

However, the government has yet to say unequivocally how it will deal with the security problem at the border.

Security agencies are reluctant to allow international organisations a bigger say in dealing with displaced people, although they would be happy if third countries could offer the Burmese migrants a home.

But that is not a sustainable solution as long as the cause of the problem goes unaddressed.

Burma bridles when outsiders "interfere" in matters which it regards as domestic concerns. At times like these, Thailand also looks to the United Nations for a lead in addressing Burma's internal worries.

The UN secretary-general's special envoy on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, is scheduled to arrive in Burma again today for a one-day visit. While there, he should raise the problem of refugees sheltering on Thai soil.

As Asean chairman, Thailand has called on the UN to intervene in Burma's national reconciliation efforts. As Burma makes slow progress, patience is wearing thin. Blame for inaction should not be pinned on Asean alone. The UN should also take some responsibility.

Mr Gambari, on his eighth visit to Burma, will hopefully obtain at least one concession. That is to secure a guarantee from the junta that it will receive UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon early next month.

Mr Ban is visiting Japan from June 30 to July 2 and a trip to Burma could be added to the itinerary, said UN undersecretary-general on public information Kiyo Akasaka.

Mr Ban, he said, might not be seen as powerful or convincing in the eyes of the media in dealing with the Burmese government.

"However, he does carry weight, and strength," Mr Akasaka said. It is quiet diplomacy that counted and Mr Ban has negotiated with the Burmese leader - but not in an unpleasant way as many people seem to expect. "Burma is aware of Ban Ki-moon's stance.

He wants to return to the country to discuss matters beyond what was set down - talks on relief efforts for last year's Cyclone Nargis," he said.